DIVING INTO DIFFERENT WORLDS: Open ocean water (left) contains few particles and absorbs warm colors, so blue light penetrates far into the clear distance. Near the coast, high nutrient levels allow dense growth of phytoplankton (center), making the water appear green and darker (right). Forests appear dark and green for the same reason—plant pigments absorb red and blue wavelengths of light, and reflect remaining green light. (Left and inset by Larry Madin, right by Terry Rioux, WHOI. )[back]
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